ALABAMA Volume XXIV, Number 1 AStateR Arts AwardsT IssueS 2011 Members Alabama State Council on the Arts JULIE HALL FRIEDMAN Council Chair Fairhope JIM HARRISON, III Vice-Chair Tuscaloosa DORA HANSON JAMES Secretary Opelika RALPH FROHSIN, JR. Alexander City ELAINE JOHNSON Dothan JOEL T. DAVES, IV Mobile X. SELWYN JONES Florence VAUGHAN I. MORRISETTE Mobile DOUG C. PURCELL Eufaula REBECCA T. B. QUINN Huntsville LINDA ROCHESTER Ashland LEE SENTELL Montgomery CEIL JENKINS SNOW Birmingham SONTONIA T. K. STEPHENS Northport LISA BLACH WEIL Montgomery Opinions expressed in AlabamaArts do not necessarily reflect those of the Alabama State Council on the Arts or the State of Alabama. ALABAMAARTS In this Issue 2011 State Arts Awards Volume XXIV Number 1 Arts Awards 2011 STATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 3 Al Head, Executive Director, ASCA Joe McInnes 4 Southern Gentleman Al Head Rebecca Luker 9 Seemingly Ageless Both in Person and in Voice Alec Harvey Dale Kennington 14 Representing Leadership and Creative Contributions of Southern Women Georgine Clarke Sena Jeter Naslund 19 A Life in the Written Word Jeanie Thompson and Danny Gamble Dr. Henry Panion, III 25 Loving Music for the Sake of Loving Music Michael Huebner Joyce Cauthen 29 Scholar, Musician and Arts Administrator Joey Brackner James Bryan 34 Revered Alabama Fiddler Joyce Cauthen Former First Lady Patsy Riley 40 A Light for Us All Al Head On the Cover: In the Common Interest, verso and recto, by Dale Kennington, oil on wood panel, 83 in. x 144 in., 6 panels. From the collection of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Photos by Robert Fouts. Library of Congress Card No. 74628447 STATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 s ALABAMAARTS s 1 The Alabama State Council on the Arts 2011 2 s ALABAMAARTSsSTATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 ARTS AWARDS 2011 by Al Head whose large-scale works, seen in major museum exhibi- n challenging times the arts are a means by which tions and private collections, capture moments, places we can celebrate high achievement of talented indi- and people in ways that demonstrate both great technical viduals, cutting-edge visions for the future and the I skill and unique avenues of communicating with an audi- creative spirit that has been a vital part of community ence. Yet another honoree is a retiring arts administrator traditions in Alabama for decades. This year we gather at who has spent many years and countless hours supporting the Celebration of the Arts Awards Program in order to and promoting the folklife of Alabama while being an recognize high achievers, remarkable visionaries and mas- accomplished author and practitioner of the traditional ters of Alabama’s rich cultural traditions. arts she loves so dearly. A master fiddler, whose perfor- The Alabama State Council on the Arts has been mance excellence reflects the best of the Sand Mountain giving awards for over thirty-five years in a format that string-music tradition, is recognized for being a great arts has become a showcase of unique people, significant con- ambassador from Alabama and keeping an important tributions and artistic talents that have made Alabama style of music alive by passing it on to future generations. a better place to live. The state better known for college A special Legacy Award is also being presented this year football, NASCAR, hunting or fishing does, in fact, have to a former First Lady who provided great leadership an abundance of rich cultural resources. First-time visitors and vision to a national project placing a monumental to the state are pleasantly surprised to find such a vast bronze statue of Helen Keller in Statuary Hall in the U.S. array of offerings in the performing, visual and literary Capitol in Washington D.C. arts. Many come to experience folk arts that are, in many This year’s recipients deserve thanks and recog- cases, appreciated worldwide, and can be discovered in nition from all of those who value the arts and have virtually all Alabama communities. Those with awareness received the benefits of their many beyond the superficial know the state to be a concentra- contributions here in Alabama. We tion of both great arts and great artists. know the arts enhance learning at all But, as with all great things, the arts don’t just ages, bring vitality to downtowns and happen without a lot of financial supporters, dedicated community life, are part of economic professionals and volunteers and, of course, talented art- development strategies, reach chil- ists. This year’s awardees represent just such a collection dren at risk, and are a major way of of individuals. In 2011 the Council will be recognizing bringing people together to celebrate a major benefactor, enabler, councilor and advocate for cultural diversity and traditions. The the arts from the private sector. We celebrate the career Council supports the arts and art- and vast accomplishments of a major Broadway star and ists through numerous avenues of assistance; but, paying a national celebrity in the performing arts for many years. tribute to those who make the arts “happen” is among We pay tribute to one who is, first a college educator and the most important functions we at the state level can inspiration for young musicians but, who is best known perform to emphasize the significant role of the arts in worldwide as a musical arranger for both superstars and improving the quality of life for everyone in our state. gospel ensembles. The state this year will be honoring a critically acclaimed and award winning author whose Al Head is the profound images in words have gained her a national Executive Director following and a significant number of aspiring students. Among the award recipients is an outstanding painter of the Alabama State Council on the Arts STATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 • ALABAMAARTS • 3 THE JONNIE DEE RILEY LITTLE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Joe McInnes Southern Gentleman by Al Head his serving as President hose who have had of the Tukabatchee Area the pleasure to know Council of Boy Scouts of Duncan Joseph “Joe” T America and President of McInnes over the years use Montgomery Area United descriptions like integrity, Way. professionalism, thought- ful, articulate, loyal, civic- America. In the early 1960’s, of minded and perhaps, most of Joe McInnes enrolled at all, southern gentleman to Scouts the University of Alabama. Boy It was an eventful and characterize this friend of busi- of ness and the arts. He is a true exciting time for the young product of Alabama, in the Council man from Wetumpka, best sense of that word. He is Area considering both national a man born, raised, educated, football championships in the heyday of coach Bear married, employed and retired Tukabatchee in Alabama. of Bryant, as well as, the in- famous desegregation of the Joe McInnes grew up Courtesy University attracting much in Wetumpka, just north Photo: national attention and of Montgomery, a small Joe McInnes. media coverage. Joe gradu- town rich in history, natural ated from the University in beauty and most of the cul- It was in these coming of age 1966 and went on to receive a law tural traditions that give Alabama years in Wetumpka that Joe began degree from Jones School of Law. its reputation for warm hospitality to hone his skills for speaking and and a strong sense of community. building working relationships After serving his country Wetumpka might be considered a beyond his hometown. He became in the U.S. Army Reserve, Joe pretty idyllic hometown for a young active in Junior Achievement at the McInnes was hired in 1974 by boy and teenager growing up in the state, regional and national levels, Winton M. Blount, an Alabamian 1950’s and certainly provided the attending national conventions and rapidly ascending in prominence as kind of environment that had a posi- establishing a network of friends. a businessman, public official, phi- tive influence on Joe’s early in life. This background set the stage for lanthropist and collector of art. It 4 s ALABAMAARTSsSTATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 was there at Blount International, Inc. that Joe developed a keen sense of appreciation for the role the arts play in community building and YMCA. quality of life. It is safe to say that Winton “Red” Blount was both a great mentor and inspira- Avenue tion relative to the importance of business sup- port for the arts. His philanthropy through the Cleveland of Blount Foundation spread far and wide with his two highest profile legacies being the Alabama Courtesy Shakespeare Festival and the Montgomery Photo: Museum of Fine Arts. While Red was setting Joe McInnes directed important support for such projects as the Art Center at the the tone for the Blount giving philosophy, the Cleveland Avenue YMCA. Arts. Alabama of of Museum University the of Montgomery of Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Dedication of Blount Undergraduate Initiative Living-Learning Center in spring, 2000. Joe McInnes, Winton “Red” Blount, Sandra McInnes and Photo: Dr. James D. Yarbrough, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Joe McInnes and Jimmy Lowder at the Montgomery Museum of Arts. STATE ARTS AWARDS 2011 s ALABAMAARTS s 5 policies and procedures for contribu- tions were primarily being carried out behind the scenes by Joe McInnes. As time passed, Joe played an increas- ingly important role in developing the Blount Foundation and establishing pri- orities for support of arts organizations in Alabama and beyond. He became family President and, for most, the face of the McInnes Blount Foundation. Joe directed impor- the tant support for such projects as the of Art Center at the Cleveland Avenue Courtesy YMCA and the youth competition pro- gram of the Montgomery Symphony.